The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. I have my last dose of cisplatin on Monday and my final 4 radiation treatments this week. I'm excited to start recovering from all these sores and mucus build-up and neck burns.

However, at my last check-up with my MO, she mentioned not to get too excited because we might continue chemo for the next few months. She hadn't completely decided, but one of the other MOs on her team very much recommended doing mop-up chemo. I don't think she said what type it would be, but she said we would start in a month or two and it would be once a month for a whole week. I would go in on a Monday, get 3 separate drugs, and the 3rd one would come home with me and then get removed on Friday. We would do this three times. My MO said she could see not doing it, as well, as it would be a good thing to have available in case I ever had another recurrence.

I'm wondering if this is all really needed. My scans have been clean since after surgery; however, I know my cancer is aggresive. I do want to hit it with everything, but I'm wondering if this is just overkill. I haven't seen many people's signatures with a monthly week-long chemo plan. Is this really something normally done? Is this something new?

With all of this, when I am considered in remission? My scans are clean already. Am I already in remission? Do I get to say I am in remission Thursday when I leave my final radiation appointment? Do I have to wait for this newly proposed chemo plan before I'm in remission?

Sorry for the rambling. I'm just wondering if anyone else out there had a similar treatment plan and if it's really necessary in my case.

Thanks for listening!

Hi Jen- Well. I am 3 yrs out now (well as of March 2nd this year). I"m not sure when they would consider you officially in remission. I know that the highest rate of recurrence is 1-3 years afterwards with the first and second being the highest risk time. At least that is what my MO RO and surgeon have all said.

Yes tongue cancer is very aggressive and very very hard to control when it spreads. I"m guessing that your Docs are concerned because you had the recurrance after 1 year so they want to throw the book at this because you are young and they want you to live a long healthy life without dealing with this crap again.

That must be hard to hear about a possible chemo plan for after you finish up treatment. What kind of chemo is it? I am so sorry! It does sound very aggressive but I think the Dr. just wants to make sure this never ever comes back ever again.

The thing is that you really need to irradicate this stuff from your system once and for all and if they think that is the best way to ensure that this will never come back- I would do it. Having another reoccurance would really not be good news. I don't want to scare you but its not something that would be that easy to get rid of because it will kind of meant that this has been lingering around in your system.

I feel for you. As a young woman you should certainly not have to be dealing with this right now. I was 33 when diagnosed- newly married and it just really sucked. I was supposed to be starting a family- had just started a new job etc but I had to deal...anyways I would get a few medical opinions and read up on things and make your best informed decision you can and do what you feel is the best option... but I wouldn't be thinking about saving an option for if or when it comes back... you want to use all your weapons now for the best chance at beating this once and for all. I know that is probably hard to hear. After being on these boards for awhile I see patterns after awhile. You want to beat this thing once and for all. Blast the bejesus out of its my advice. Its hard but then you'll know you did absolutely everything you could. Right?

I can completely empathize with not wanting to sign up for more chemo treatments! Sorry you are having to go through with this!

Wishing you a speedy recovery and hope that you will never have to deal with this again!

KATE

I prefer the term "complete response to treatment" over remission. Cancers like Leukemia and Hodgkins go into "remission". OC can have a "CR".

I know I didn't get the "all clear" until my 3rd post Tx scan and even then I told people that asked me that I was cancer free until the next scan.

When people ask now I merely tell them I am cancer free today. I have been cancer free long enough now that I don't give it much thought.

Ecery time i get maybe it's gone, they come back with it might be there. I should glow in the dark.

first thing i learned thru all of this is never assume ur treatments are going to be over at a certain time...leaves u wide open for disapointments later.
this seems to be what they are planning for andy although he did not finish his originally planned treatments. they just stopped it due to him "not being able to continue at this time".
he is getting a 4 week break, then they will resume treatments and have more chemo planned. i didnt hear the words "mop up" but am now wondering if this is what it is.
i know what it is like to be looking forward to that end date, and it gets extended.
better safe than sorry, im sure they want to make sure they get it all this time.
sorry for the extention, but it to will end!